A look at history shows that rules surrounding the conduct of war have existed across all civilisations. The American Red Cross in its webinar series “IHL Conversations” recently discussed the rules and ethics of warfare in the Aztec civilisation. The Speaker on this topic is Dr. Camilla Townsend, Distinguished Professor of History at Rutgers University, who is author of the new book “Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs”. Her fascinating chronological history of the Aztecs is solely based on documents that they themselves generated and is considered by many to be the most important resource on the Aztecs yet written.

Please visit www.rulesofwar.org for more information about the American Red Cross IHL Dissemination Program.

For an in-depth look at the Mayas in light of the rules of war, kindly also see the ICRC’s Spanish-language publication on International Humanitarian Law and the Mayan Legal Order.